Thanks kirstensomers, first up I'll take it that North is to the right of your first picture. A few other thoughts pop to mind: You're being very kind to neighbours if you put a bed along the pool fence as I figure you can't actually see it much from your house. I would suggest letting the pool fence run to lawn. You'll get enough sun to do it as it's facing east. You have to mow that verge anyway, and it would be great for guest parking! You could focus your efforts and $ instead on doing both sides of your lovely wide driveway. I would never usually say this but I almost feel as though the tree closest to the driveway should go. It doesn't provide useful shade in that position. It partially blocks the view from that balcony. Also, the two trees on that side make the garden seem very unbalanced. A single remaining tree could claim its rightful place as the magnificent feature tree. If you went for the chop on one tree it leaves you with a nice amount of space to plant beds on both sides of the driveway and allows for better views if that's what you prefer.That's option 1. For option 2 you could of course take the opposite view and decide to balance out those two trees by planting one large tree on the other side of the driveway! It all hinges on whether you prefer looking into the tops of your trees or prefer looking at whatever you can see from your house. Personal choice for sure. Either way, the driveway would get morning and midday sun. The sun would reflect off the concrete. I'll bet you score the sea 'breeze' there too. Tough gig. I'm with Timandra Design and Landscaping as this is the perfect environment for natives and those that act like them. As to plantings? Option 2 is easier. What type of trees are they in the picture? Plant one of them then under plant with hardy dietes or agapanthus until the shade grows in. Option 1 opens up other possibilities. Modestly sized trees would seem to be the go. Rows of Callistemon King's Park Red marching up both sides of the drive attracting all the birds? Olive trees for their silvery foliage? Once you have decided the area and height for plantings you can go to some fine nurseries that specialise in natives and their mates. Nice way to spend a couple of hours! I hope you have much fun with your garden. It's so exciting to put in all that work then watch your efforts multiplied by nature. Good luck!

As a ballpark starting figure use around $1800 - 2000 per square metre. This just a ballpark figure to use as as starting point and can easily vary either side. So for $150k for that size dwelling is only around $600 per square metre...... Contact a local designer (the good ones understand budgets and costings) and start from there. Material and product choices will vary the cost to construct greatly so keep that in mind. Building costs are always increasing not going down.

The idea to extend out under the eaves was to add and use available space under the existing roof. you will see the 3 eave extensions marked with circles Both bedrooms would continue the bump out wall next to the robes for a desk space or other by using the bricks from the exterior wall and the return/Nib wall. The Nib wall between both the robe and desk would be framed out with timber and Gyprock so that all the original bricks ca be used in the new wall. A concrete base of approx 600 deep will need to be added to both new desk spaces. The third bump out wall suggested was in the laundry space which would reuse the existing sliding door and bricks and bring it inline with the kitchen wall, once again it will need a fill in concrete slab of approx 600 deep but no extra roof expense applies. The Carport I think has no walls so nothing to demolish there it would however need 3 new walls of brick or cladding as previously mentioned plus the extra narrow concrete slab on one short wall and part of the long wall. Stepping from the old now wider laundry into the new Master you would need a new small slab across the end of the old Carport. This section would need a small section of roof to either sit up to or under the corner eaves, this could be slopping glass or Metal. All renovations/ extensions will involve a need to match exterior walls which can be done by rendering or cladding, in particular the new walls ( the bedroom extension walls would include the existing robe walls) All of this only requires the addition of a small roof section in the corner of the laundry and the carport Eaves, a small sloping glass roof here would add some Wow factor plus the aspect is perfect.. A few small additions can make such a difference for a smaller outlay. A new double carport can be factored in to be done in the next stage as you have plenty of space to work with You mention the use of a Modular system, along with OKL and my suggestions you could have a livable shed costed by local Professionals. would be interested to see what the difference is

Hi Kim, Re other comments that have been made on the northern orientation of the house, this does seriously benefit the performance of the dwelling and energy savings no matter what climate you are in. If your preferred aspect is north east, you can still acheive this by stepping the plan rather than angling it. See my rough sketch below. Laundry and office could be interchangeable but with the laundry as I have shown it, you will have outdoor access to an area that is away from the front door. If you can keep your plumbing together, that helps with keeping the cost down but this is not fully aceivable with having separate wings to the house. I'm assuming you want to keep the kids play room as far away as possible so keep that on the north west corner. You can get some afternoon light into the living space via the kitchen or a skylight if you want that. You could swap the dressing area and ensuite in the master bedroom to give sound privacy and allow a bigger window into the ensuite that is not onto the outdoor living area. Also, that could give access to the ensuite from both sides of the bed but keep the plumbing off the bedhead wall. The toilet could be nearer the room entry too for quick access when needed. If you are in a hot climate, for bed 4 have the main window facing south but west if in a cool climate. Alternatively, a corner window might work. Put larger overhangs to the north that suit the sun angle to allow sun in for the cooler months and keep it out in the warm months. East and west, control the sun with window sizing and placement and screens if desired. Good luck. Christine.